My Website Is Up Finally!!! New And Improved!!! Please *positively* Critique It!!!!

[VetTechJess]

after many many tries and upgrades its finally back again with full force!!! Now i need ppl to critique it.

a few things up front:

1. I know the forums look like that, I did so on purpose. please see the other thread I am gonna make concerning just the vettechjess forums.

2. I know my site still has that big space to the right--i compensated for it by making the rest of the site more centered so that it would atleast LOOK even enough. Cant do much about that--sorry.

3. I made my buttons those images specifically because if I woulda wrote them out, chances are mozilla firefox browser woulda made it all topsey turvey like it did before (for those of you who have seen it beforehand)

4. You may notice the content of the site doesnt have my name on it. don't worry. its specifically from a FREE CONTENT WEBSITE. I gave credit where credit was due. How do I know its free content? because I looked it up on google keywords along the lines of "free content for my website" and a site came up, so dont worry theres no copyright/patent violations, I made sure of that before I put it on the site.

5. I did that (#4) because I suffer from frequent bouts of writer's block. So I am gonna use what I like to call the Booster Shot method. I use others free content for my website, giving them proper credit where the credit is due. Then in between bouts of writers block when I can actually think up of some content, I add it, that way its easier, a win-win situation. the consumer (you the website viewer) still get the generosity of a good content website, and I get to have some time to get some ideas and content of my own.

6. Yes I put google adsense on there upfront. I did it because I think ahead. Right now the ads may not be revelant because the spiders from the search engines havent gotten to it yet. I put them up now because if i waited it would never get done in a timely manner. Besides I wanna do my million dollar experiment etc to see what happens and theres no better time like the present!!

thats all I can think of...critique away!!!

[NotesMaeve]

A few suggestions:

You might want to explain your history with animals, your experience, etc. When I look through, I see no real reason why I'd consider you, webmistress, a valid source of info. Own pets? What sparked your interest? How long have you been a vet tech?

Why does the site exist? Just to rehash content already out there with nothing specifically of yours?

This last part is just a personal taste thing: I hate imaged backgrounds. Always makes me think of MySpace and rarely does it convey "professional."

[JohnPlace]

I second everything mentioned by the previous poster. And I'll repeat the same advice I gave you previously: I think you'd be better off using a professional looking, pre-packaged wordpress theme.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by JohnPlace

I second everything mentioned by the previous poster. And I'll repeat the same advice I gave you previously: I think you'd be better off using a professional looking, pre-packaged wordpress theme.

Hi John,

I agree with you and NotesMaeve about the theme. I personally do not like backgrounds like this on web and blogs.

I understand VetTechJess this is your personal preference and you certainly may make your site look and feel any way you please, but a user survey could determine what your users might like.

I have created sites that I love and no one else seemed to like them at all. Such sites are fine if they are my hobby. I still have a couple of sites like this. If however, I wish to attract and serve other people I must provide a user experience that has value to them.

I congratulate you on your willingness to trudge the road of happy destiny.

[juicemcnewton]

Theres some kind of crazy thing going on with the ads overlapping onto the content. I'm using Firefox if that helps you out any.

[Minsc]

All of your text is in images... (err, on the front page)

You should just get a template somewhere if you don't want to write your own HTML. Don't bother using visual editors.

Steve's free website templates
The one on the bottom looks alright.

[VetTechJess]

Originally Posted by Gene

Hi John,

I agree with you and NotesMaeve about the theme. I personally do not like backgrounds like this on web and blogs.

I understand VetTechJess this is your personal preference and you certainly may make your site look and feel any way you please, but a user survey could determine what your users might like.

I have created sites that I love and no one else seemed to like them at all. Such sites are fine if they are my hobby. I still have a couple of sites like this. If however, I wish to attract and serve other people I must provide a user experience that has value to them.

I congratulate you on your willingness to trudge the road of happy destiny.

thats just it tho--the bkg you see on the front of the page is something I got from a website that makes veterinary themed sites!!!!

[VetTechJess]

Originally Posted by juicemcnewton

Theres some kind of crazy thing going on with the ads overlapping onto the content. I'm using Firefox if that helps you out any.

I worked on that just a few minutes ago....And I looked at it thru firefox to see whether or not it would work. I ended up changing the layout of the pages in question that had the stuff overlapping.

As for the main page, I got rid of the buttons and images and actually wrote down the things plus a few more. Again I checked it in firefox and again it appears** to be doing fine with the new upgrades.

Of course with firefox's tendencies to screw up perfectly good websites seems to be the norm. Believe it or not when I had the old layout I actually took firefox into consideration when making it, thus making the spaces in between the articles for the ads extra big so that it wouldnt happen.

Its definitely one of my less favorite things about firefox. If you ask me ppl shouldnt hafta relayout their websites to fit firefox's program--as I checked my site when it was under construction thru internet explorer--and it looked just the way I desired--I think firefox needs to work out that bug because if its doing that to my website by screwing up the ads, theres no telling how many other sites out there that are affected that the site owners know nothing about.

and--contrary to popular belief--not everyone knows how to make their own HTML. (not being mean or cynical--just take me for example--I know nothing about HTML...I know its easy for ppl who study computers and the like, but I study veterinary technology--not HTML etc.)

[Dan.Linehan]

I think what everyone is saying is that your site needs a more cohesive "look and feel" if you want it to be successful. People won't trust the content if its not presented clearly.

You don't need to know html, just find a good template that you can fill in with your own data and articles.

Here are a couple samples you can use if you want. The zip files contain all of the PSD sources so you can modify the graphics as needed.


Vet Tech Jess - Animal Pet Articles!

http://puredemo.net/vettechjess.zip

___________________________________


Vet Tech Jess - Animal Pet Articles!

http://puredemo.net/vettechjess2.zip


If you need any help with the process, let me know.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

I know possibly the least about creating web pages of anyone in the known world, but maybe this will help when you want to see what your page will look like across different browsers.

See how your site renders in virtually any browser with BrowserShots

[juicemcnewton]

I can understand how not knowing HTML could be a problem lol, but after all you are trying to build a webpage right? And if you want it to be quality you either have to have someone who knows what they're doing build it, or learn how to yourself. I mean simply put, even using existing code would be difficult to implement I imagine with no knowledge of HTML.

I mean I know nothing about vet. technology so I'd probably learn something about it before I went into the field. Otherwise I can't imagine a situation where I wouldn't be lost.

Oh, also not trying to be mean or cynical btw - just seems like some type of HTML knowledge would help out the situation alot. Or maybe not, I'm not even sure what I'm babbling about at this point.

P.S. good call on the XHTML Iksander, I wasn't thinking that somebody not familiar with computers wouldn't already know the difference. Heh, didn't want to confuse her, most of the time I know just enough about most things to be dangerous...

[Iksander]

Learn through practice, application, and persistence.

FireFox is far more standards compliant than any version of Internet Explorer; it uses the Gecko rendering engine which is not only open-source but, again, standards compliant. Trust me, IE is the culprit in breaking 'perfectly good sites' (I hate that browser with a passion).

You should build your site to accommodate FireFox, then tweak it for Internet Explorer.


You need to learn XHTML (screw HTML, that is old), proper doctype declarations, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and then you could move on. You should be able to write an entire site by hand without any WYSIWYG editors; it will be empowering for you and also aide in higher quality documents that you produce.

W3Schools is a great learning resource - I frequently use it for reference.

[VetTechJess]

Originally Posted by Iksander

Learn through practice, application, and persistence.

FireFox is far more standards compliant than any version of Internet Explorer; it uses the Gecko rendering engine which is not only open-source but, again, standards compliant. Trust me, IE is the culprit in breaking 'perfectly good sites' (I hate that browser with a passion).

You should build your site to accommodate FireFox, then tweak it for Internet Explorer.


You need to learn XHTML (screw HTML, that is old), proper doctype declarations, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and then you could move on. You should be able to write an entire site by hand without any WYSIWYG editors; it will be empowering for you and also aide in higher quality documents that you produce.

W3Schools is a great learning resource - I frequently use it for reference.

any ideas on what software programs to use? trust me I am totally clueless here when it comes to html xhtml and the like....so all the help is appreciated...

p.s. I wish there was a html/xhtml generator of somekind, like the myspace layouts only better...that way you just insert the pics/website url, the software checks the website in question, and voila! theres the html/xhtml version of the website you created....sure would make things easier....

[Iksander]

Notepad is all you need.

You don't need a special program, and, there actually are programs that build the HTML for you - I don't recommend them however because you should know what is going into the site before putting it up on the internet.

Tutorials on W3schools.com (link I gave you) should help out alot.

[zpivat]

Originally Posted by VetTechJess

and--contrary to popular belief--not everyone knows how to make their own HTML. (not being mean or cynical--just take me for example--I know nothing about HTML...I know its easy for ppl who study computers and the like, but I study veterinary technology--not HTML etc.)

Very true.....I know a thing or two about HTML (well, been a web developer/designer), but not much about animal technology.....we can't be good in everything eh?

PM me if you want and may be I can help make your site look better (I'm not implying that the current one looks bad though =P ). Free of charge of course......

[ZenDude]

First off: cool that you want share your knowledge on pets with the world and putting all this energy into it.

I second the note on image backgrounds. A nice gradient or small diagonal stripe would be a lot easier on the eye.

Layout wise I'd suggest using a (Wordpress) template or some other type of light CMS with templates. This is another good site with free templates.
mike02: funny animal. The Turtle.
Simplicity two-point-oh!

I suggest using another font for the body text. I don't like this one.

Maybe you could try making a header (with Photoshop or the like) with some animal stock photos and over that the title of your site, so that you do have graphics and they are of animals but they're not in the background

Another thing, for me to continue to visit a site, I want new stuff, so maybe put the new articles on the front page. Then you can write a welcome message on an 'About' page.

'Links' (LINKS PAGE) is empty.

Good luck!

[GuerillaInternetMarketing]

I second the notion of trying to transition the site to Wordpress or another CMS. It will allow you to have a decent looking and functional site with no HTML knowledge.

Your site clearly needs help aesthetically, but I fear the bigger issue is that you are using content from other sites. While it may be legal to do so, search engines will penalize you for it and you won't be able to obtain rankings, even if you did have the knowledge to optimize the site.

Please don't take this harshly, but the reality is if you can't do HTML and can't write because of writer's block, then why are you setting up a content site in the first place??? That would be like someone becoming a mechanic who doesn't know anything about cars and doesn't want to get dirty.

I mean this all with good intentions - Your energy may be better spent elsewhere.

Best of luck!

[VetTechJess]

Originally Posted by GuerillaInternetMarketing

I second the notion of trying to transition the site to Wordpress or another CMS. It will allow you to have a decent looking and functional site with no HTML knowledge.

Your site clearly needs help aesthetically, but I fear the bigger issue is that you are using content from other sites. While it may be legal to do so, search engines will penalize you for it and you won't be able to obtain rankings, even if you did have the knowledge to optimize the site.

Please don't take this harshly, but the reality is if you can't do HTML and can't write because of writer's block, then why are you setting up a content site in the first place??? That would be like someone becoming a mechanic who doesn't know anything about cars and doesn't want to get dirty.

I mean this all with good intentions - Your energy may be better spent elsewhere.

Best of luck!

isnt wordpress just for blogging? if its just for blogging, I wouldnt really have that much of a need for it would I? I want a unique template for my website, not a template that has a chance of being reused on someone else's site like a wordpress template does.

[Dan.Linehan]

Jess,

Did you look at the two templates I posted?

Also, did I read another post correctly, you didn't write the articles on your site?

EDIT - Oh, wow it looks like they are all from this site? Seriously??

[Dan.Linehan]

Jess,

Does this Doctor know you've reprinted all of his articles word for word to your own site?

[VetTechJess]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

Jess,

Does this Doctor know you've reprinted all of his articles word for word to your own site?

it was on a free content website Freesticky: An index of free web site content, free content providers and self publishing resources. News feeds, financial content, jokes, royalty free photos and images, free articles, tickers, weather, games, comics, riddles and more. i looked it up keyword animals

[Lychee]

This template suggested by Dan looks sharp and professional.

[Angela]

#1 -- I would clean up the many grammatical errors right away if I were you.

#2 -- Is this something you'll want potential employers to look at when you graduate? If so, you probably want to go for a more professional tone in your writing. Professional doesn't have to mean boring -- you can still have a distinctive and fun "voice" without the extraneous exclamation points and references that might be a little too cutesy to an animal hospital director.

#3 -- Your website's mission should be clear and compelling. What are you committed to doing here? Can you state it in a couple of dynamic sentences? How would you like a visitor to describe the site to a friend so that the friend would want to visit, too?

[Dan.Linehan]

Originally Posted by VetTechJess

it was on a free content website Freesticky: An index of free web site content, free content providers and self publishing resources. News feeds, financial content, jokes, royalty free photos and images, free articles, tickers, weather, games, comics, riddles and more. i looked it up keyword animals

Jess,

Just because something says "free content" doesn't mean its fair game to repost it on your own domain. You might be thinking of "public domain," which is entirely different.

For example, you can google "free personal development articles" and Steve's site will come up #1, but that doesn't mean anyone can repost all his blog entries onto their own personal development site.

Or you can google free personal development content and Steve's site comes up #1 there too, but that doesn't mean its OK for someone to mirror all his articles somewhere else and profit from it.

I don't see anything about these articles being public domain on All Creatures Care...

[Iksander]

You are obviously well intentioned, but, Dan is right, those articles are not in the public domain.

One solution to that - is instead of copy-pasting onto your site, you can just link to the articles on that site until you have your own content up.

Keep working on it and make sure you are really clear about WHERE you want it to go. It might take you a while to get there but the trick is patience and persistence.

If you can keep up this amount of energy and enthusiasm, you will have a really awesome site; but, like I said it will take patience and persistence.

I also second the idea of using Wordpress - you can do alot more than you think with blog software; entire sites that don't even look like blogs can be built with it. You can even learn how to build your own templates so you can practice creating your own unique design.

[Angela]

Dan and Iksander -- the link Jess posted specifically says that it sources articles that can be freely posted on her website. Are they lying? Is this a scam of some sort?

[VetTechJess]

Originally Posted by Angela

Dan and Iksander -- the link Jess posted specifically says that it sources articles that can be freely posted on her website. Are they lying? Is this a scam of some sort?

i made sure it was free content such as that before I even started to revamp the site....just to make sure there were no copyright violations or anything. I give proper credit where credit is due...which is a good thing....

[Iksander]

I don't see any specific copyright on it - but I also don't see any specific statement saying it can be used in the public domain. To me, unless otherwise stated, copyright is implied.

Sure, because there is no stated copyright anybody can legally do anything they want with the content, but there are subjective morals that go into it. The majority of webmasters have no concept or idea of copyrighting their material or making a statement that allows its use in the public domain.

So, technically, both of you are right it is up for grabs - but I still hold to the value that unless the author has explicitly stated anyone can copy-past his/her work; I will only provide an external link.


Jessica, what you could do is email the author directly and ask for written permission to reproduce his works on your website - that, in my opinion, would be correct way of going about it.

[Dan.Linehan]

Originally Posted by VetTechJess

it was on a free content website Freesticky i looked it up keyword animals

Hmm.. I don't see a keyword search on Freesticky. Nor do I see a category for animals.

Also, a google search for freesticky + animals doesn't seem to have anything.

Jess, are you sure you found these articles on Freesticky? I'm not seeing them on there.

[GuerillaInternetMarketing]

Originally Posted by VetTechJess

isnt wordpress just for blogging? if its just for blogging, I wouldnt really have that much of a need for it would I? I want a unique template for my website, not a template that has a chance of being reused on someone else's site like a wordpress template does.

Wordpress is a content management system (CMS) that is widely used for blogging but can take care of entire web sites quickly and painlessly. There are tons of templates available that can be customized, or you can create your own.